-3 upvotes, 2 direct replies (showing 2)
A raft (a metaphor) is a vehicle, a tool that allows sentient beings to "understand" reality. It is NOT an object. There is NO object in reality. The concept of an object that can be separated from all other "objects" is unreal. Reality consists of interconnected events in which everything is intertwined with everything else. That's why there is no self because self as a human conceived object does not and cannot exist as an separate entity from everything else in reality. You need to get rid of the concept of an "object" or you will never be able to understand reality.
Comment by hrdass at 04/02/2025 at 15:54 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Perhaps that’s part of your confusion: Buddhism isn’t primarily concerned with “understanding reality.” It is a path to/toward the cessation of suffering/samsara. We are drowning in the river: we cling to the raft absolutely- it alone can get us to the other shore. Once there, we discard it as it has no more use to us.
Comment by ClioMusa at 04/02/2025 at 11:55 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The term object, in terms of meditation, is the thing you’re focusing on. Breath. Compassion. These are “objects of meditation.” It has nothing to do with them being discrete or real things, and you’re applying the teachings in ways that don’t make sense or fit the context.
They never called the raft an object, and you’re getting angry and arguing against things no one has said.